New York Flood Videos Show Whole Streets Submerged Amid Heavy Rain

Footage has emerged of flash flooding in the New York boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, with vehicles struggling to make their way along roads submerged beneath standing water and some properties flooded.

New Yorkers had been urged to brace for flooding on Friday due to heavy rain from a coastal storm, with the federal National Weather Service asking residents to seek higher ground "immediately."

New York resident Jonathan Gardner shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, of cars driving along a partially flooded road, with the water appearing to submerge large sections of their tires at some points.

The "Breaking 4 News" X channel also posted a video taken from a car driving along a road flooded with mucky water, commenting: "Major flooding reported across Brooklyn and Queens in New York City."

WeatherNation, which has nearly 270,000 X followers, shared a video showing vehicles waiting at a crossover, with water circling around them. They wrote: "This is the scene in Brooklyn where heavy rain has lead to widespread flooding.

"1-2" of rain have already fallen with 1-3" more on the way! Flash flood alerts are in effect and avoid travel if you can!"

The NYScanner X account, which reports on emergency services in New York, shared footage of water pouring into an occupied bus as it drove on a flooded street, with passengers holding their feet above the floor to avoid getting wet.

They posted: "INSANE: This video was taken inside an MTA bus on 18th Avenue and 60 Street in Brooklyn."

Another X account posted video recorded in Bushwick, Brooklyn, showing the road and sidewalk completely flooded at a crossover.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency, with more than 4 inches of rain recorded in Central Park.

On X she posted: "I am declaring a State of Emergency across New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley due to the extreme rainfall we're seeing throughout the region. Please take steps to stay safe and remember to never attempt to travel on flooded roads."

Speaking to reporters she added: "Plan your escape route. Don't wait until water is over your knees before you leave. Don't wait until it's too late."

New York City Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol said Friday "is the wettest day we've had since Hurricane Ida swept this city" just over two years ago.

On its website, the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said: "On Friday, low pressure along the Mid-Atlantic Coast will slowly move northward to just south of Long Island, New York, then push eastward out over the Western Atlantic by Sunday.

"The low will pull moist air off the Atlantic, producing areas of heavy rain over parts of northeastern New Jersey, extreme southeastern New York State/Long Island, and Connecticut. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of northern Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England.

"The associated heavy rain will create numerous areas of flash flooding. Furthermore, many streams may flood, potentially affecting larger rivers. In addition, upper-level energy associated with the low will produce scattered rain over parts of the Mid-Atlantic and the Northeast on Friday and Saturday."

Update 9/29/23, 1:17 p.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information.